Aaron Poritz Furniture

Store History

Founded:
2012

Founded by:
Aaron Poritz

Headquarters:
New York City and Nicaragua

Aaron Poritz

I first discovered Aaron's handmade hardwood furniture during a house tour at his sister's home, and then again at The Red Hen in Washington, DC, where he’s outfitted the restaurant with ceilings, floors, tables, chairs and a bar made from his responsibly sourced Nicaraguan wood. The stuff is gorgeous and makes the restaurant, and it’s a fine example of how his pieces work as well in hospitality and work environments as they do in the home.

From his website:

Sturdy, fair and functional, Aaron Poritz Furniture embodies a sustainable system of sourcing, fabrication and design. The process begins with wood from coffee and teak plantation trees as well as from old growth trees felled by Hurricane Felix and sourced from the North Atlantic Autonomous Region on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua. Aaron Poritz Furniture believes knowing where the wood is sourced is vital in developing a lasting connection and appreciation for the furniture.

Aaron Poritz approaches each piece with a desire to combine strength, comfort, efficiency, quality and design. He focuses on limiting waste and using the strength of the tropical hard woods so the furniture uses no more material then necessary. Each piece is designed using expressive twists on classic wood joinery, showing off the geometric connections and allowing the furniture’s structure to be seen and understood. The result is high-quality furniture that people feel good about owning.

Name/Title: Aaron Poritz, Founder

Launch date: 2012

Inspiration for opening: When I first visited Nicaragua, and learned about the naturally felled lumber, I knew I wanted to design a piece of furniture. Once I began working with the local craftsmen and seeing the level of skill they possessed, I knew I had to start a furniture company.

Merchandise source: Handmade hardwood furniture

Best selling item: Carlisle Desk

Your favorite item: The Balcones Chair and the Day Bed.

Favorite store (other than your own): I like the way Kaufmann Mercantile curates their shop — they have a strong commitment to selling ethical and well-made products, and those are things I strongly believe in.

Natalie is a senior editor for Work Design Magazine by day and a freelance style and design writer by night. She's based in Washington, DC, where she lives in and writes from a little basement apartment in Georgetown.